Cutler upbeat about progress on offense

October 03, 2013|By Dan Wiederer, Tribune reporter

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) with his head down after being sacked by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55), during the first half of their game at Ford Field. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

When it came time to watch film Monday morning of the Bears’ 40-32 loss in Detroit, Jay Cutler knew exactly what to expect. He already knew his three interceptions and lost fumble had cost the Bears dearly. He knew he had been shaky with his fundamentals and inaccurate with routine throws he normally puts on point.

Cutler settled into the day-after review of that stumble with head coach Marc Trestman and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh with open eyes and open ears. But when it ended, was there anything to take away that Cutler didn’t already know when the team flight left Detroit a night earlier?

“No,” Cutler said. “I wish there was. But there wasn’t. It was what it was. I missed some throws. Like I said. There’s some stuff I wish that I had back. I think it would have changed the complexion of the game, but hey.”

A bad day is a bad day, Cutler asserted. And there’s not much productivity in hyper-analyzing it.

This week, Cutler knows a bounce-back effort will be necessary if he is to keep the Bears in a game against a high-powered Saints offense led by Drew Brees. Cutler has seen the fruits that have come from the relationship between Brees and offensive guru Sean Payton, a relationship that’s been blossoming since 2006.

Cutler has taken note of what’s made that connection click and hopes some of it can translate into how his bond with Trestman will develop.

“Time,” he said. “Being with Marc and being with these guys for a while and just feeling comfortable in what we’re doing. We’re headed in that direction. It’s just we’re four games into this. He’s five, six, however many years he’s been with Sean.”

That said, Cutler believes the Bears’ offensive progress after a month is better than he expected.

“I think we’re definitely better than we have been in the past with new offenses,” he said. “I don’t know what Marc’s expectations were. But if we eliminate turnovers last week, I think we’re in a lot better spot.”